Spartak Moscow vs Liverpool preview: Latest team news and likely line-ups

What is it?

It's the Champions League Group E meeting between Russian Premier League champions Spartak Moscow and five-time European Cup winners Liverpool.

When is it?

Tonight, so Tuesday Sept 26, 2017.

What time is kick-off?

French referee Clément Turpin will get the match at the Otkrytie Arena under way at 7.45pm (BST).

What TV channel is it on?

The match will be broadcast live on BT Sport 2, though we would recommend you follow all of the build-up, minute-by-minute action and post-match analysis right here. Just bookmark this page and come back at around 6.45pm when our live rolling blog will start.

What is the team news, who is injured and suspended?

After winning their first league title since 2001 – after which, coincidentally, these two teams met in the Champions League – Spartak Moscow have endured a disappointing start to the season that saw them get thrashed 5-1 at Zenit St Petersburg before losing derbies against CSKA Moscow and Lokomotiv Moscow.

In a further blow to their prospects of turning round an ailing campaign, star striker Quincy Promes – the scorer of six goals this season – missed their weekend draw with Anzhi Makhachkala.

In addition to Promes, Spartak will also be without defender Georgi Tigiev, while midfielders Jano Ananidze, Denis Glushakov and Roman Zobnin are also sidelined through injury. Forwards Ze Luis and  Denis Davydov are ijured too, while Pedro Rocha Neves remains doubtful leaving coach Massimo Carrera just two fit forwards – Luiz Adriano and Sylvanus Nimely – to lead the line at the Otkrytie Arena tonight.

Spartak Moscow (possible starting XI): Rebrov, Yeshchenko, Tasci, Bocchetti, Kombarov, Pasalic, Samedov, Ananidze, Popov, Bakaev, Adriano.

Defender Joe Gomez is suspended for Liverpool after picking up a red card against Sevilla in their opening match.

As a result, Trent Alexander-Arnold will play at right-back in what is likely to be the only change to the defence which played in Saturday's victory at Leicester.

Loris Karius will come into the starting line-up as manager Jürgen Klopp continues his policy of rotating goalkeepers for different competitions, with forward Sadio Mané set to start after serving the final game of his domestic ban at the weekend. Just Adam Lallana is missing through injury.

Liverpool (possible starting XI): Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Salah, Coutinho, Mané, Sturridge.

What are they saying?

"We are missing not only Promes, but also Ze Luis and Jano, who got injured too.

"Sometimes the team can get lucky and win despite injuries, but sometimes they seriously complicate things. Our task is to play football without any fear.

"We have to go out onto the pitch and play a perfect match. We know what Liverpool are capable of, but the ball is round. Tomorrow we will try to make their lives difficult."
Spartak Moscow manager  Massimo Carrera

"Now I am excited. We have all of the boys here. It is good to have them all, it is cool. It feels good, but that doesn't mean anything. I don't believe in names. I believe in performances.

"They all have to fit together and that is what we have to try. It should be possible of course.

"The balance has to be right. We are an offensive-orientated team, but this is about Champions League football. We need results.

"In the right moments, you need to be able to do the right things. It is not about being spectacular, it is about being good, and being clinical and having perfect timing and perfect protection.

"We cannot just bring all the artists, but if it fits together we will do it."
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp

What do the group tables look like?

What are the odds?

Spartak Moscow to win: 19/4
Draw: 10/3
Liverpool to win: 11/20

What's our prediction?

Trick one to call, but we're going for a repeat result from the last time Liverpool played Spartak Moscow in the Russian capital, so 3-1 to the Merseysiders.